The Leaning tower of Pisa, Italy, is famous simply because it leans! It is actually the bell tower of the cathedral of the city Pisa. Although it was designed to stand straight, the tower began leaning to the south - west soon after the onset of construction in 1173.
Construction was subsequently halted for almost a century, because the Pisans were almost continually engaged in battles with Genoa, Lucca and Florence.
In 1272, construction resumed. In an effort to compensate for the tilt the engineers built higher floors with one side taller than the other. This made the tower begin to lean on the other direction. Because of this the tower is actually curved! The reason of leaning is that the tower is built on unsuitable ground for such a heavy and tall building. It is only about two meters above sea level and built on a riverbed.
The underlying ground is made up of uneven layers of sand and clay. Because of the fact that the layers are not even, as the ground has compressed, it has sunk more in some places than in others.
The tower has eight storeys, including the chamber for the bells. Inside the tower there are seven bells.
Engineers expect that the famous structure will remain stable for at least another 200 years. By then the technology could be far more advanced to preserve the tower for another more years.
Construction was subsequently halted for almost a century, because the Pisans were almost continually engaged in battles with Genoa, Lucca and Florence.
In 1272, construction resumed. In an effort to compensate for the tilt the engineers built higher floors with one side taller than the other. This made the tower begin to lean on the other direction. Because of this the tower is actually curved! The reason of leaning is that the tower is built on unsuitable ground for such a heavy and tall building. It is only about two meters above sea level and built on a riverbed.
The tower has eight storeys, including the chamber for the bells. Inside the tower there are seven bells.
Engineers expect that the famous structure will remain stable for at least another 200 years. By then the technology could be far more advanced to preserve the tower for another more years.
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